Lily's Charm- Severitus fanfiction

Progress

1996

It had been over a week since his first Occlumency lesson and Harry didn’t know when he’d last felt so tired. He had told all of his friends about his “extra training” with Remus, which had inevitably led to Harry starting up the D.A. again. His friends had begged and pleaded with Harry for three days before Harry finally gave in and asked Remus to become their advisor for the inflated group of students. Remus, of course, had agreed readily and the eager young witches and wizards had gathered in the Room of Requirement twice during the past week.

Harry met with Snape two nights as well, leaving him only one free evening, all of which he’d spent with his nose buried in his textbooks. He was beginning to feel a bit like Hermione. Occlumency was going surprisingly well, after the slightly uncomfortable tension of their second session, during most of which Snape had spoken only to give Harry terse commands.

The third time had been much easier; Harry and Snape hadn’t exchanged a single cross word, excluding of course Snape’s random snide remarks. Harry was growing used to the snark, as well as the man who delivered them with such practiced ease. He was even beginning to feel some inkling of fondness for the Professor, and Harry was almost certain Snape felt the same way, though Harry had noticed with a bit of wariness that the man hadn’t called him ‘Harry’ since that first night.

It was as though the Professor had buried every trace of emotion far beneath his shields. Harry hadn’t noticed even once a hint of anything other than endless black in the man’s eyes. Harry knew the last words they had exchanged that first night had cost Snape dearly and he was obviously not going to recover easily.

Harry sighed as he circled the Pitch. He had almost decided he was too tired to accept McGonagall’s decision that Harry become the Captain of this year’s Quidditch Team. He had gone to see Remus after she’d asked, moaning that he was too swamped to take this on as well. Remus had listened patiently and then asked if Harry wanted to play Quidditch at all this year to which he’d answered, “Of course!” rather indignantly. And then the sneaky sod had asked smoothly, “And you’d like Katie Bell to be Captain?” Harry had scowled at his friend and taken the hint.

Harry had almost lost his nerve two nights ago, when Snape had frowned in disapproval when Harry had mentioned his Quidditch plans.

“I do not think it wise to take on so much this term. You need to focus on your training,” Snape had said immediately when Harry had told him about McGonagall’s choice.

Harry had tilted his head and asked, “Are you telling me I can’t?”, having no idea why he would even ask. It wasn’t as if Snape had any authority to forbid him playing Quidditch after all.

Snape, in response, had pursed his lips and said stiffly, “You should do as you think best.” and then shortly afterwards, the Professor had ended the lesson much earlier than usual. Harry had left feeling very confused.

Later that night, he’d relayed the entire conversation to Ginny, who had explained patiently that Snape obviously felt uncomfortable in the floundering role he found himself in—hovering somewhere between parent and teacher. Harry had considered that and realized after a bit that he had been hoping for some sort of advice from Snape about what to do. And obviously, that had been far too much to expect from the prickly Professor.

“Harry! Come on down!” Ron called from far below him on the grass. Harry nodded though of course his friend couldn’t see him. He turned the nose of his broom toward the ground and nudged it forward so that he was streaking toward the ground.